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Joel William "Cal" Birmingham

FUNERAL HOME

Sunset Memorial Park & Funeral Home

1701 Austin Highway

San Antonio, Texas

Joel Birmingham Obituary

BIRMINGHAM
Joel William "Cal" Birmingham was born December 22, 1929 in Wharton, TX to Frank & Julia (Barrera)Birmingham and passed away on Tuesday, March 15, 2011 in San Antonio, TX. He served in the U. S. Navy during the Korean War. Cal loved the outdoors, especially, fishing, hunting and camping. He was preceded in death by his brothers and sister, Timothy Lee Birmingham, Daisy Mae Humphries, Charles Edward Birmingham, Frank Leon Birmingham and Gilbert Al Birmingham. Surviving him are his wife of 52 years, Martha; Children, Norma & Glen Sotoodeh of San Antonio, TX, Suzanne & Michael Walker of Shelbyville, TX, Roland Birmingham of Boston, MA, Gary & Toni Birmingham of San Antonio, TX; grandchildren, Dana & Stephen Sotoodeh, Emma Walker, Braden Cal, Casey, Taylor and Alex Birmingham. The family will receive friends on Friday, March 18, 2011 from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. in Sunset Funeral Home Chapel, with a rosary recited at 7:00 p.m. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday March 19, 2011 in Sunset Funeral Home Chapel, with interment to follow in Sunset Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, the family has request donations be made to find a cure for Parkinson's Disease, by going to www.psp.org. To leave condolences for the family, go to www.sunsetfuneralhomesa.com.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by San Antonio Express-News on Mar. 17, 2011.

Memories and Condolences
for Joel Birmingham

22 Entries

Mark Kirk

April 19, 2011

Norma, I am so saddened to hear of the loss of your father. I am lucky to have known him, and you. Best wishes to you and your family.

Terri Angelico

March 29, 2011

Gary,
I just found out about your father's passing. My condolences go out to you and your family. From all the messages I've read, I know you have lots of wonderful, cherished memories that will keep him with you every day. Blessings to you all.
Terri Jenschke Angelico

Fred Barrera

March 25, 2011

I have the fondest memories of Cal and Martha. Both were always smiling and those smiles always lit up the room and provided lots of joy to everyone. When we first moved to San Antonio in 1956, I remember Cal singing in the next room "Up the lazy river" in his finest voice while he strummed his guitar. When I began college, I recall Cal being the first person to help my dad change the engine in my first car that I purchased without knowing the engine was bad. Later all his brothers also showed up. It took the entire weekend but Cal was always there to help and provide some jokes and laughs that made the time and the work go quickly. I also remember Cal and his guitar joining in with Tio Pancho (his dad) playing the fiddle and my father playing the bajo sexto in some very lively music. This event always beat watching TV. All of these memories were great times that I will always treasure. I know that Martha made him very happy and cared so much for him so she have even greater memories of him. In behalf of the Barrera family, accept our sincere sympathy and know that you are in our minds and prayers.

Viviana Enrique Acosta

March 24, 2011

Que en paz descanse. Many prayers to you all, may the memories of the good times comfort you during this time. I am thankful we got to visit and will cherish the memory. Much love all.......

Sen. Leticia Van de Putte

March 22, 2011

Dear Birmingham Family,

It is with deepest sadness that I extend my condolences to you on the loss of your beloved. There are no words that I can say that will make your loss any easier. However, I would like you to know that I am sincerely thankful for his bravery and great sacrifice to our great country.

As Chair of the Senate Committee on Veteran Affairs and Military Installations, I pray that the deep hurt you feel is in some part eased by the feeling of great pride for his valor and deep sense of patriotism.

He will be dearly missed by all who were fortunate enough to have known him. May God give you and yours strength and courage. May the love and the wonderful memories you shared with him help you when you need it most. Please know that he will never be forgotten and your family will be remembered in my prayers

Sincerly,

Kevin Solbrig

March 21, 2011

I was just informed of Mr. Birmingham's passing today. My condolences to the entire family. I remember him going to watch the football games when we (Roland and I) played in High School. When I worked at HEB, he and Mrs. Birmingham often came through my line when I was cashiering. I especially remember when he was on the way home, he would come to the stop sign at the corner of Bertetti and Tomar in his gray Ford pickup. I would be in the yard and he ALWAYS made a point of waving as he proceeded into his turn onto Tomar.

He will be fondly remembered!

Kevin B. Solbrig

Royce and Sandy Cannon

March 20, 2011

Mertz and Family, May God be with you all at this very sad time, you are in our thoughts and prayers. Royce and Sandy

Roxanne Felan

March 20, 2011

Uncle Joe,
I will always remember your great sense of humor and that wonderful laughter and smile. You were truly one of my favorite uncles. We will miss you! My thoughts and prayers go out to the entire Birmingham family at this most difficult time.

Linda Hernandez

March 18, 2011

Gary and family, we are very sorry to hear about your loss. Thank God he lived a full life and is now resting. May all of you take comfort in knowing he is now at peace in God's hands. Our thoughts and prayers, Cecilio and Linda Hernandez

Mary Haggerton

March 18, 2011

The heavens now have a brighter star as this larger than life,wonderful man has gone on before us to watch down on us all.My thoughts and prayers are with each of you during this time of sorrow.

Judy Gomez-Benavides

March 18, 2011

Aunt Mertz, Norma, Suzanne, Roland & Gary: I am so sorry for your loss. Joel was my favorite uncle. I always looked forward to when we went to visit or when you all came here to DC. I remember his laughter and that which surrounded him. He was always up for a song, knowing how much I liked to hear him play guitar and sing. I'm so glad my girls got to meet their great uncle for it is a rare opportunity to know a man as great as he. He will be truly missed.

March 18, 2011

Just remember meeting him once with Gary, years ago at a school function. He was bigger than life,in a cowboy hat :). Must have been a good dad, Gary turned out great. Friends, Darlene and Yvonne

Isabel eaton

March 18, 2011

Norma we are so sorry to hear about the loss of your father.Know that we are thinking of you and your family. Lots of Hugs Isabel and Jim Eaton and Joseph, Jeremy and Matthew

Aunt Martha and Uncle Joel...my graduation 1986

March 18, 2011

Unlce Joel always had a smile and a joke for us when we saw him! He was so much fun to be around. We will miss him so much.
Sending prayers and love...
Marisa (Missy), David, Weslely and Nathan

Hortencia Zamarron

March 17, 2011

My prayers go out to the entire family for your lost of a great man. He was my Angel when at St Francis Academy because he offered to drive me to school to relief my single parent mother for 4 yrs...He had an awesome humor and zest for LIFE...remember always listening to Paul Harvey on the radio going w Norma to school. Thanks for the memories....cha-cha

George Lopez Barrera

March 17, 2011

Martha,
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your loved ones. Joel was a true friend to all. I'm sorry I never took him to our 'ranchito' to hunt. He would
have enjoyed it. Now, he's at peace in
Heaven with his Maker.
GeorgeLopezBarrera & Alice H. family & the rest of The Barrera brothers & sis-ters, San Antonio, Houston, Katy, New York and California.

March 17, 2011

A great man with a zest for life and all things positive. On behalf of the Sotoodeh family our sincerest payers and thoughts are with you. I always thought Mr. Birmingham was a class act from the day I met him. He will be missed but not forgotten.
-Larry Sotoodeh, for all the Sotoodeh's-San Antonio, Texas

March 17, 2011

Uncle Joel,
You brought so much love, laughter and memories we will never
forget. We always knew we were going to have a good time with
"Uncle Joel" around, we enjoyed "looking up" to you. Don't worry
about Martha, we will all take real good care of her. Rest in peace.

Love,
Wendy

Sylvia Saldana-Sanchez

March 17, 2011

My condolences to the entire Brimingham family. Norma, please know that you are thought of at this difficult time & prayers are being sent your way.

March 17, 2011

Gary, we're very sorry to hear of the loss of your father. Please convey our condolences to all your family.
Art & Cynthia Lindley

Dave Oxford

March 17, 2011

It was an honor to have known Cal for most of my life. His sense of humor, positive attitude, and frozen margarita making skills will be missed. All the best to the Birmingham family in this time of sorrow.

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